Restraint device



Aug. 29, 1944. B..s. cAlN RESTRAINT DEVICE Filed July 22, 1942 2 Y jm Patented Aug. 29, 1944 RESQTEAINT DEfVlCE.

Basil S. Cain, Erie, P a., assignor to General Elec.- tric Company, a corporation of lNew York Application Jui-y' 22, 1942. .serial No. 451,868.

- frame .es Sher/riet the riehtin. Eier..V 2- endet the Claims.

My application relates to restraint `devices such as are used in connection with Arailway vehicles.

An object of my invention is to provide. an improved restraint device for vehicles which are connected together by an articulating joint.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved restraint device for. articulated vehicle frames supported by trucks.

A further objectfof .my invention is to provide an improved restraint device for articulated vehicle frames which are supported by trucks connected together by an articulating joint.

Further objects andadvantages of myginvention will become apparent and-my invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be Vpointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specilication.

vIn thedrawing Fig. 1 is -an end elevational sectional VView along line I--I of-Fig.'2 showing a part of a railway vehicle -provided with an embodiment of my invention; Fig. V2l is a partial side elevational sectional View of a pair ofA articulated .railway vehicles pro-vided with the ernbodimentofmy invention shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3k is asectionalview taken alongline3 ;3 rrol? Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 -is a partial plan view of theconstruetion shown `in-Fig. 2.

Referring tothe drawing, VI have shown a pair of Arailway vehicles provided with vehicle frames I 0 andHH arranged vto support vehicle. superstructures I 2 and I3, respectively. These vehicles are provided with aplurality of `drivingaigles I4-supported-by driving wheels I5 andarranged to be driven by electric motors I6. The ends of the axles I4 are arranged in ljournal boxes I'I which support the side frames I8. of driving trucks. These driving trucks are provided with end fralnes I9 which rigidly secure'togethervthe ends of the truck side 'frames I8. VThe two vehicle frames are connected togetherj by an articulating joint comprising apai-r of tongues secured to Ithevehicle frame I0 and between, Whigh `e tongue 2| is arranged.whiehisseeured;

to the vehicle frame II. The tongue 2;I. is pro.- vided with a spherical bearingv 2.21 iniwhich ,is

arrangedv a pin 23 which secures .together thetongues 2liand 2 I for transmitting.longitudinal forces therebetween. Each. of Vthi-:.vehicle .frames is supported on the ruckirames Aby..a .suitable transversely .slidable conventional center plate 2 4 Vwhiehis mounted on .a centerv bearing 1 25sup pQll'lxby a Atransverse .bolster 26 Von the .truck lef-1; in .Fia 4. Thecenter plate ..2.4extends up- Wardly within. the. vehielefrerne and. Ve lateral reetraintdeyiee iserraneed to. restrain lateral mevementf .the center plate relative to. the trucl; frame. This center plate restraint device includes twosets of leaf springs 2l arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of the center plate and Aheld together .by Spring strapsl. arranged in engagement with the ends of va guide 29 secured. i0. acerlter .pin .3.0 .which is arranged Centrally 0f trie-.Center platen and is secured *2Q-.ticle ;t.1.fl19l .frf1.r.1e ,bolster .2 6 es Shown at the right-in Figs. 2 `and 4.- Relativelateraimovement between the truclgframe and thE Vehicle frange results in a relative lmoverme n t between the. eenierplarei ,and .the springs 2i and spring SraPS 2.8 SL19@ .that these .sprineearedeected @9d-*tend .t0 return .the Center plate/.24 .to a centraljpositionabout the center pin 30.

.A :restraint device is. Aprevidedfier transmitting lateral ferm-irV between, the trucks.. and vehicle frames n.ar.l..equllzedvmanrler and `for minmiZ.-. ingrelative .movement between the two vehicles and-the vehicle trucks to provide vfor asmoother Opration Of thgllain- ThireStrarit device inludes e guiding linkage .Previded with e tie barv 3 IV whichfextends between aljacen t en ds of theend truksfof the two. Vehicles and, .iepiYQially Connected ediaerli? @eeh end thereof .by pivot pins 32,.and 33 to i',ransversely extending arms 3.4 and,35.of bell-cranks 36 and3l, respectively. These bell cranks arepivotally connected b y pivot pins'. 3B andv'39. to the vehicle frames I0 and II and are provided with ,longitudinally @Xi/ending arms...4.. andfllwhich .are pivotall'y secured by pivot pins 4,2,and 43 to the endsof linlgsJM and 45. These bellcranks andvlin'ks are arranged adjacent thesameside of v.both of the vehicles, and the link s 4 4 and 4 5 are .pivotally secured to the truclside frames I8.bypivotpins 4E and 41 as shown inflige. AWith thisarrangement forces are transmittedlfrom. the Vehicle frames to Athe truck frames throughthe pairsof.

bell crank varms andthe'tie bar, such that transfverse movement of one ofthe' tron-:kV frames to one side relativeltoits supported vehicle frame.

willproduce a corresponding andopposite trans.; verse movement o f the other4 truck framerelative-toits supported vehicle frame. This facilitates guiding of the trailing Vehicle into curves by the relative movement pf the leading qvehicle frame relative to its 'supporting truck. and equalizes -theforces on the trucks, egceptlfor. the bias exertedby the'springs which act' on one or both center plates. While it may be convenient to provide lateral restraint springs on both the center plates as shown, it is not necessary to provide more than one, applied to either center plate adjacent to the bell crank and link connection. The bell crank and link connection acts as an equalizer between the lateral movements of the two center plates, so that a spring restraint on either will act as a restraint on the whole system. 'Ihe adjacent ends of the end trucks on the two vehicles are connected together by an articulating coupling including tongues 48 and 49 mounted on the end frames I9 of the trucks and pivotally secured together by an articulation pin 50 with adequate longitudinal clearance for operation on curves. Thisrequalizing device, including the two bell cranks and connecting rod 3| combined with the articulated joint 23, provides a completely determinate equalizing system for the two car bodies on the two trucks, and this combination will guide into and out of curves even if the center plate restraint springs 21 were omitted entirely. 'Ihese springs act to steady the motion and minimize oscillations due to track variations as well as functioning to center the car bodies if they be disconnected, as for maintenance work. Nosing of the trucks is minimized by a nosing restraint mechanism which includes a double triangular shaped vequalizing frame 5I which is pivotally secured adjacent one end 52 thereof by a pivot pin 53 to the under side of the vehicle frame l substantially along the longitudinal centerline of the Vehicle. The other end of the equalizing frame I is provided with a longitudinally extending tongue 54 which slidably engages a bearing 55 formed with curved bearing surfaces to provide a universal connection between the equalizing frame 5l and the vehicle'frame I l. This connection also is arranged substantially along the longitudinal center line of the vehicle frame. The outer corners 56 of the equalizing frame 5I are connected together by downwardly extending arms 51 which are joined together at their lower end by a transversely extending bar 58 and are pivotally connected to a rocker bar or link 59 by a pivot pin 60 arranged substantially midway between the ends of the equalizer frame 5l and along the longitudinal center line of the equalizing frame.

The rocker bar 59 is pivotally secured adjacent' its other end by a pivot pin 6U to a rocker 6I which is seated `on a pair of rocker seats 62 mounted on they end frame I9 of one of the trucks. Thus, the equalizing frame 5| is connected to both of the vehicle frames I 0 and Il and to one of the trucks through the rocker mechanism. The rocker 6I is biased into engagement with the rocker seats 62 by a resilient mechanism including a tension bar 53 which eX- tends through an opening in the rocker seats 62 and then through the end frame I9 and is provided with a retaining'spring seat 64 for retaining a coil spring 65 under compression between the end frame I9 and the spring seat 64, and the locations of the pivot pin 53 and the bearing 55 are chosen so that when the vehicle is on any uniform curve, there is no substantial deflection of the spring 64. This spring and rocker arrangement provides for cushioning of relative movements between the truck frames and the vehicle frames and steadies the trucks in their normal position on tangent track and on uniform curves, andron turnouts or irregular curves the cushioning device allows the trucks to follow smoothly any irregularities in the track. This entire restraint device construction provides for ease in guiding the trailing articulated vehicle by movement of the leading vehicle and minimizes undesirable nosing and relative movements between the supporting trucks and the vehicle frames.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that my invention is not to be limited to the particular arrangement disclosed, and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by l Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A restraint device for vehicles having a pair of vehicle frames and having an articulating connection between said vehicle frames with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of lsaid trucks having a truck frame, a truck nosing restraining means including an equalizing frame for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frame to one of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line thereof, means for providing a sliding and universal connection between said equalizing frame and the other of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line of said other vehicle frame, resilient means including a link pivotally connected to said equalizing frame for connecting said equalizing-,frame to one of said truck frames, and

ymeans for movably connecting together said truck frames. v.

2. A restraintl device for vehiclesv having a pair of vehicle frames and having an articulating connection between said vehicle frames with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of, said trucks having a truck frame, means including an articulating connection for coupling to,- gether adjacent ends of said truck frames, a truck nosing restraining means including an equalizing frame extending longitudinally adjacent a portion of e'ach'of said vehicle frames for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frame to one of said vehicle frames, means for providing a connection between said equalizing frame and the other of said Vehicle frames. resilient means including a link pivotally Aconnected to said' equalizing frame for connecting said equalizing frame to one of said truck frames.

Y3. A restraint device'for vehicles having a pair of vehicle framesand having an articulating connection between said vehicle frames with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of said trucks having a truck frame, a truck nosing restraining means including an equalizing frame extending longitudinally adjacent a portion of each of said vehicle frames for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frameV to one Vof said vehicle frames substantially along Vthe longitudinal center line thereof, means for providing a sliding and universal connection between said equalizing frame and the other Aof said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center liney ofy said vehicle frame, resilient means including a link pivotally connected to said equalizing;

frame substantially along the center line thereof and substantially midway 4between the connections of said equalizing frame to said vehicle lframes `for connecting said equalizing frame to `one of said truck frames, means for pivotally connecting said link to said last mentioned truck frame, and means for connecting together said truck frames.

4. A restraint device for vehicles having a pair "of vehicle frames and having an articulating connection between said vehicle frames with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of -saidtrucks having a truck iramel means for connecting together adjacent ends of said truck frames, a truck nosing restraining means including an equalizing frame for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frame to one of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line thereof, means for providing a connection between said equalizing frame and the other of said Vehicle frames substantially along the 'longitudinal center line of said other vehicle frame, means including a Alink pivotally connected to said equalizing frame for connecting said equalizing frame to one of said truck frames, a rocker, rocker seats on said last mentioned truck frame, means for pivotally connecting said link to said rocker, and resilient means including va spring for biasing said rocker into engagement with said rocker seats and for cushioning relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames.

5. A restraint device for vehicles having a pair of vehicle frames and having an articulating connection between said vehicleframes with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of said trucks having a truck frame, means for connecting together adjacent ends of said truck frames, a truck nosing restraining means. including an equalizing frame extending longitudinally adjacent a portion of each of said vehicle frames for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connectingsaid equalizing frame to one of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line thereof, means for providing a sliding and universal connection between said equalizing frame and the other of said'vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line of said other vehicle frame, means including a link pivotally connected to said equalizing frame substantially along the center line thereof and substantially midway between the connections of said equalizing frame to said vehicle frames for connecting said equalizing frame to one of said truck frames, a rocker, rocker seats on said last mentioned truck frame, means for pivotally connecting said last mentioned link to said rocker, and resilient means including a spring for biasing said rocker into engagement with said rocker seats and for cushioning relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames.

6. A restraint device for vehicles having a pair of vehicle frames and having an articulating connection between said vehicle frames with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of said trucks having a truck frame, means including an articulating connection for coupling together adjacent ends of said truck frames, and a truck nosing restraining means including an equaliaing frame extending longitudinally adjacent a portion of each o f said vehicle frames for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frame to one of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal centerline thereof, means for providing a sliding an-d universal connection .between said equalizing frame and the other of saidvehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line of saidf other vehicle frame, means including a link pivotally -connected to said equalizing frame substantially along the center line thereof and substantially midway between the lconnections of said equalizing frame to said vehicle frames for connecting said equalizing frame to one of said truck frames,a rocker, rocker seats on said last mentioned truck. frame, means for pivotally connecting said link to said rocker, and resilient means including a spring for biasing `said rocker into engagement with said rocker seats and for cushioning relative movements between said truck `frames and said vehicle frames.

'7. A restraint device for vehicles having a pair of vehicle frames and having an articulating connection between said vehicle frames with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of said trucks having a truck frame, and a center plate on said vehicle frames for supporting said vehicle frames on said tru-ck frames, means for resiliently centering each of said center plates relative to said truck frames, and a truck nosing restraining means including an equalizing frame extending vlongitudinally adjacent a por-'tion of each of said vehicle frames for limiting relative' movements between said truck framesand said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frame to one of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line thereof, means for providing a sliding and universal connection between said equalizing frame and the other of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line of said other vehicle frame, a rocker, rocker seats on said last mentioned truck frame, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frame to said rocker, resilient means including a spring for biasing said rocker into engagement with saidrocker seats and for cushioning relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, and' means for pivotally `connecting together adjacent ends of said truck frames.

8. A restraint device for vehicles having a pair of vehicle frames and having an articulating connection between said vehicle frames with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of said trucks having 'a truck frame, and a truck nosing restraining means including an equalizing frame extending longitudinally adjacent a portion of each of said vehicle frames for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally cont necting said equalizing frame to one of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line thereof, means for pro-viding a connection between said equalizing frame and the other of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line of said other vehicle frame, resilient means including a link pivotally connected to said equalizing frame substantially along the center line thereof and substantially midway between the connections of said equalizing frame to said vehicle frames for connecting said equalizing frame to one of said truck frames, and means for pivotally connecting together adjacent ends of said truck frames.

9. A restraint device for vehicles having a pair of Vehicle frames and having an articulating connection between said vehicle frames with a truck for each of said vehicle frames, each of said trucks having a truck frame, and a truck nosing restraining means including an equalizing frame extending longitudinally adjacent a portion of each of said vehicle frames for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frame to one of said Vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line thereof, means for providing a sliding and universal connection between said equalizing frame and the other of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line of said other vehicle frame, means including a link pivotally connected to said equalizing frame substantially along the center line thereof and substantially midway between the connections of said equalizng frame to said Vehicle frames for connecting said equalizing frame to one of said truck frames, a rocker, rocker seats on said last mentioned truck frame, means for pivotally connecting said last mentioned link to said rocker, resilient means including a spring for biasing said rocker into engagement with said rocker seats and for cushioning relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, and means. for pivotally connecting together adjacent ends of said truck frames.

10. A restraint device for vehicles having pair of vehicle frames and having an articulating 'connection between said Vehicle frames with a. truck forl each of said vehicle frames, each of said trucks having a truck frame, means including an Aarticulating connection for coupling together adjacent ends of said truck frames, and a truck nosing restraining means including an equalizing frame` extending longitudinally adjacent a portion of each of said vehicle frames for limiting relative movements between said truck frames and said vehicle frames, means for pivotally connecting said equalizing frame to one of said vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line thereof, means for providing a sliding and universal connection between said equalizing frame and the other of said Vehicle frames substantially along the longitudinal center line of said other Vehicle frame, means including a link pivotally connected to said equalizing frame substantially along the center line thereof and substantially midway between the connections of said equalizing frame to said vehicle frames for connecting said equalizing frame to one of said truck frames, a rocker, rocker seats on said last mentioned truck frame, means for pivotally connecting said last mentioned link to said rocker, and resilient means including a spring for biasing said rocker into engagement with said rocker seats and for cushioning relative movements between said truck frames and said Vehicle frames.

BASIL S. CAIN. 

